LGBTQ+ Fostering

Your sexual and/or gender identity has absolutely nothing to do with your suitability to foster. Whether or not you can foster depends only on your ability to provide a stable and loving home for a child or young person.

This is absolutely false. In a lot of cases… it’s actually the opposite! LGBTQ+ carers are encouraged to apply due to their unique perspectives and personal understanding of facing adversity and navigating feelings of potentially being marginalised. Three-quarters of social workers thought this open-mindedness to difference and ability to empathise with fostered children was a significant strength (New Family Social Survey 2011).

There is absolutely no evidence that gendered parenting benefits children whatsoever. What children need is a safe, stable and nurturing household where they are receiving love and support. In fact, there are a range of studies exploring how the lack of gender expectations and stereotyping present in LGBTQ+ households specifically can be beneficial for a child. It is thought to be advantageous to witness an equal relationship where individual responsibilities aren’t determined by gender but instead rely on personal skills and interests.

Children may look up to their parents, but sexual and/or gender identity cannot truly be steered one way or the other, nor should it be. LGBTQ+ parents & foster carers are only more likely to teach their children to be open-minded and tolerant of diversity in general, as well as give them more confidence to be able to navigate their feelings and be themselves.

There is no one type of ‘ideal’ foster carer. Single LGBTQ+ people sometimes feel they will be judged for wanting to foster alone because it is an ‘unconventional’ family format, but the truth is that anyone can foster as a single carer, no matter their identity. Additionally, single men sometimes feel they aren’t sought after to be foster carers because it’s a ‘maternal’ role that needs a woman’s involvement. However, some looked after children hugely benefit from having a healthy male role model. The matching process ensures children and young people are placed with carers who can offer the most suitable family environment for them to thrive in.

Due to changing attitudes and a focus on diversity, wellbeing and acceptance in schools, this is an outdated perspective. Unfortunately, bullying does happen for a multitude of different reasons – what’s important is your ability to help your child if they tell you that they are being bullied. All schools should have an anti-bullying policy in place, so it would be your job to report it quickly to enable any bullying or victimisation to be dealt with by the school.